Force on the court

In the classrooms of Homewood High School, world history teacher Linda Delahay prioritizes the needs of her students. 

On the tennis court, it’s no different.

The first-year coach of Homewood’s girls tennis team, Delahay has brought a much needed dose of dedication and enthusiasm to a program on its fourth coach in four years — all while juggling her multiple responsibilities as teacher, Scholars Bowl sponsor and temporary boys tennis coach. 

“Working with my kids and understanding my kids and doing what’s right for them is more important than anything,” Delahay said. “I always try to be there for my students in the classroom. I try to be understanding; I try to make it as interesting and exciting as possible, so tennis is the same thing.”

Although Delahay started teaching at Homewood in 2009, the idea of coaching tennis didn’t enter the picture until Assistant Principal Amanda Esslinger approached her prior to the 2016 season. 

Esslinger had heard Delahay used to play tennis and, once Delahay — who played in a recreational women’s league — confirmed the fact, Esslinger offered her the open position. 

A self-proclaimed nerd who identifies with her academic-oriented Scholars Bowl students, Delahay initially expressed hesitation, highlighting her lack of coaching experience.

It wasn’t an issue. 

Wanting to help out Esslinger, Delahay accepted the role. 

“I said yes and have not regretted it at all, even though I am not particularly athletic,” Delahay said. “I love the kids, and I love what we’re doing here.”

Her athletes do too. In only one season under Delahay, the players said team cohesion and school-wide recognition have reached record peaks.

 “She’s been great,” senior Kendall Wulbrun said. “She’s been the first one that’s really taken it head on and tried to move the program forward.” 

Wulbrun would know. A four-year member of the girls tennis team, she has played under a different coach each year of her high school career. 

Between creating social media accounts, lobbying for team travel buses, advocating for new uniforms and relaying match results via school announcements, Delahay has installed a bevy of measures to ensure her athletes are acknowledged for their achievements. 

“It’s very important. I mean these kids play very hard. They’ve practiced hard. They have their own private coaches sometimes, so they work all through the summer … they need recognition,” Delahay said. “It’s not just the football player and the basketball team; it needs to be our tennis players as well.”

Even though she only agreed to guide the Patriot girls, Delahay has taken the Homewood boys team under her wing as well. Sara Tumlin, who replaced current boys varsity basketball coach Tim Shepler after the 2015 season, went on maternity leave this spring.

Delahay has assumed the role in stride. 

Fostering a sense of teamwork, she has unified the Patriot boys and girls.  

“She’s always been really enthusiastic, and she’s done a good job of getting the tennis team to feel like more of a Homewood team than it used to be,” senior Timothy Wooley, a four-year boys team member, said. “Even though she’s really not too much into playing tennis herself, she’s done a great job of coaching it.”

While assistant coach Kayla Garcia, a certified tennis instructor, primarily oversees the development of on-court mechanics, Delahay embraces her unique role. 

On the border of managerial and motherly, Delahay provides the program with steadfast encouragement. She even asked Garcia if she could give her players celebratory postmatch hugs. 

“I’m the emotional support, the hugger, the cheerleader, the conflict resolution person,” Delahay said. “I’m all that, and it’s just what I do in the classroom, just on the tennis courts.”

Moving forward, Delahay said the Patriot girls won’t need to worry about the prospect of yet another coaching change. Aiming to establish a culture of stability, Delahay confirmed she will return as head coach in 2017.

“They have told me they enjoyed this year a lot, and they’re so enthusiastic and ready to play and ready to do well and just seem to enjoy the game,” Delahay said in reference to her team. “I feel like I owe the kids this. I owe them some continuity.”